Citing the injury of Brad Boxberger and the abundant number of off-days in the month of April, RHP Erasmo Ramirez will be a full-time member of bullpen while the closer remains on the disabled list ― likely until mid May. When the team is in need of a fifth starter, like on April 16, that pitcher will either be Ramirez ― if he had pitched three or four innings a few days before ― or someone like Blake Snell or Matt Andriese.

#Rays Cash said Ramirez won’t be just a long guy. Could pitch in 7th with 1 run lead, could pitch in 9th with 1 run lead.

As for Ramirez, Cash told Roger Mooney (Tampa Tribune) that Erasmo won’t be just a long-man. Rather he could pitch in seventh with a one-run lead, or in the ninth to close things out.

When In say Erasmo is going to the bullpen, he’s going to the bullpen to get big outs, Cash said. He’s going to be right in that grouping off game’s on the line situation. We have all the confidence in the world. He might pitch in the seventh with a one-run lead. He might pitch in the ninth with a one-run lead. Given times, let’s say we’re up by two or three and we bring him in the sixth, he might finish the game out. He’s versatile. We know how his arm responds. We’re fortunate to have him in that position.

So why Ramirez and not someone like Smyly? Last week Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey told Ron Diaz, in a radio interview with 620 WDAE, that Erasmo would be the best option for relief work, as it takes him less time to get stretched out and warmed up. The Rays manager also touched on the fact that Ramirez is more versatile, and his arm responds well in between appearances. (see the quote above)

What does the future hold for the 25 year-old righty? According to a tweet by Mooney, Ramirez is uncertain of his role when looking at the scheme of things. Erasmo said he doesn’t know when/if he’ll return to rotation, “I’ll just be in the bullpen doing my best,” he said.

However, if Cash’s remarks speak to anything, Ramirez will likely end up in the rotation again.

The one thing we will try and avoid is to build him up in-season to make one start just to put him back in (the bullpen). It’s one thing to build him up to get him back to the rotation when that day comes. We’ll hurt our chances of winning games if we try to do that.

What could this mean for the rest of the roster?

Temporarily moving Ramirez to the bullpen allows the team to carry 11 pitchers and 14 position players, giving the team the ability to carry an extra position player for at least the first month of the regular season.

The possible Opening Day roster shakes out like this:

There still is a position battle that has not been sorted out — that being the one behind the plate. By all accounts Rene Rivera has had a good Spring, and Curt Casali has been deemed the probable the Opening Day catcher, leaving Hank Conger as the likely candidate to be optioned to Triple-A Durham.

In the end the extra position player not only grants Cash more flexibility with the players on the bench, it gives him the opportunity to pick and choose the most favorable match-ups over the course of the game. It also buys the team a little more time to shop James Loney.

For what it’s worth this is just my opinion. One thing is certain, however, we’ll know more by the end of the week.

4/22/15, 3:45 PM Update: Per a tweet from Marc Topkin, Drew Smyly will start Friday for the Rays.

4/22/15, 8:30 AM Update: LHP Drew Smyly is set to come off the disabled list and start in the series opener against the Blue Jays.

While the Rays initially held off on making Smyly’s return official, Smyly — who has been sidelined since early March with shoulder tendinitis — said he was “definitely” ready to rejoin the Rays: “Without a doubt.” Matt Andriese was to pitch Friday, so the Rays could do one of three things:

keep him available in case Smyly gets knocked out early.

Bump his start to Saturday (which might be the most likely scenario).

Send him down to Triple-A Durham to make room on the roster.

According to the soothsayers at ESPN, Drew Smyly is getting the start in Friday’s series opener against Toronto. While it’s a good assumption, seeing as Smyly would get the start on normal/five days rest, what ESPN lacks is the foreknowledge of whether he’ll be reactivated from the disabled list.

While there is a possibility that Smyly could start for the Rays on Friday, per Marc Topkin, that will be predicated on his need for a fourth rehab start.

Smyly has been on the DL with left shoulder tendinitis since the beginning of March. Drew made his third rehab start Sunday afternoon with the Montgomery Biscuits. Smyly pitched two outs into the fourth inning and allowed one hit and three walks while fanning four on 68 pitches (40 strikes, 59% K/BB). Averaging 90.1 mph with his fastball in 2014, Smyly topped out at 92 mph on the stadium radar.

Click the photo to be redirected to our Big Cartel powered merch store.

A new batch of “Raymones” shirts arrived Monday — just in time for Opening Day! Want one? They’re currently available at our Big Cartel powered merch store. You can also snag one from Star Booty, conveniently located a short walk from the Trop, on the 600 Block portion of Central Ave.

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a 5-0 shutout loss against the Blue Jays Friday, in a game where LHP Erik Bedard was given one last opportunity to prove his worth to the Rays roster and starting rotation. Much akin to his last four Spring Training outings, Bedard did himself not favors by putting together a 5.2 IP/4 ER/8 H/1 BB/4 K/1 HR outing on 94 pitches (63 strikes). Rays manager Joe Maddon said entering the game that Bedard was very much in the thick of the competition for that final starting job, and a final decision is expected Saturday — though now we’re hearing there’s a chance the announcement will be delayed at least until later Saturday. Per a pair of Marc Topkin tweets,

Rays (are) not ready to name fifth starter, could be later today. Maddon says they are close to decision but need to talk again: “No white smoke yet.”

On the subject of his outing Friday, Bedard said he was happy with how he pitched and felt. He’s aware the fifth starter is “tough decision,” but believes he’s done enough. Further more, Bedard said he’d use the opt out clause in his contract if he doesn’t make the cut, and there’s an injury elsewhere. Otherwise, he’d go with flow and go to Triple-A Durham.

“I felt pretty good,” Bedard said. “I was throwing my breaking ball for strikes whenever, and I was also throwing my changeup and fastball,” Bedard said. “So I thought it was better than my other outing.”

As I mentioned the other day, I think the battle to be the number five starter will come down to Cesar Ramos and Jake Odorizzi, with Ramos (who’s had an excellent spring) ultimately winning the coveted spot. In that scenario, Josh Lueke would earn a spot in the bullpen by default, since he’s out of options. Then again, you never know. Maddon and Co. bequeathed Roberto Hernandez with the fifth starter spot last season, even though he had a lackluster spring.

The New What Next

The Rays will welcome the Orioles to Charlotte Sports Park Saturday, with RHP Alex Cobb slated get the start. He’ll be followed by setup men Joel Peralta and Jake McGee. Brandon Gomes and Josh Lueke, battling for the final spots in the Rays’ bullpen, are also scheduled to pitch. Former Ray (twice over) Delmon Young, whom Joe Maddon was quite impressed with Wednesday, will be in the lineup for Baltimore.

Back in February I received an interesting email from a fellow blogger. His challenge, if I chose to accept it: answer six simple questions (below) about the state of the Rays going into Spring Training and the 2014 season.

How would you grade the off-season?

What does Wil Myers do for an encore?

Which roster battle will be the most intriguing during Spring Training?

What rookie, if any, will make the most impact on the team in 2014?

What will be the final record of the team, and where will they finish in the division?

Which player from your team do you most enjoy watching?

Challenge accepted! I made my initial predictions (here and here) with the thought I’d answer the same six questions a month down the line. The aforementioned blogger will be posting my responses on his site as well. Some things have changed, while others have stayed the same. If anything, this was a fun experiment!

How would you grade the off-season?

If you asked me this question during the 2013 Winter Meetings, I’m not certain I would have graded the Rays favorably. After all, there were lingering concerns over David Price’s status with Tampa Bay, and the Rays hadn’t made any significant moves to fill holes in the bullpen and the right-hand side of the infield. Sure, Friedman and company made a good move by acquiring Heath Bell and Ryan Hanigan. Yet low we sat facing the prospect of having a rent-a-player at first, and no official closer. My how things have changed.

Since the 2013 Winter Meetings, the Rays locked James Loney into a three-year contract, signed utility infielder Jayson Nix to a minor league contract, avoided another round arbitration hearings with seven players (including David Price), acquired five players from the Padres — including Brad Boxberger and Logan Forsythe — in a seven player trade, and brought Grant Balfour back home to the other Bay Area. In short, the Rays went from mediocrity to pretty damn good, as it relates to their off-season moves.

Sure, the Rays didn’t sign a designated hitter. However, allow me to remind you that their last productive DH was Johnny Damon, who slashed .261 BA/.326 OBP/.418/.744 OPS in 2011. He wasn’t terrible by any stretch of the imagination, however, he didn’t fit the mold of what the Rays were looking out of that position. And lest we forget those who came before and after Damon — Pat Burrell and Luke Scott? Need I really say anything about them? The absence of an official DH gives the Rays flexibility. They’ll be able to give Evan Longoria, Wil Myers, Matt Joyce, David DeJesus and Ben Zobrist some time off their feet, while keeping their productive bats in the lineup on a fairly regular basis.

What does Wil Myers do for an encore?

Oh Wil “AL Rookie of the Year” Myers… The player who out performed the ballyhooed Yasiel Puig (considering a shorter stint in the majors in 2013) with half the fanfare, the player whose first major league homer was a grand slam in Yankee Stadium, and the player whose embarrassing error gave the Red Sox a decided advantage in game one of the 2013 ALDS — what can we expect out of you this year? Warts and all, Myers met most people’s expectations in 2013. With him in the lineup, the Rays were able to push their way into the postseason following a lackluster August.

Most projection sites find Myers regressing in 2014, presumably due to his hard time in making adjustments at the plate — especially on pitches on the outside corner, and inside (and lower) third of the plate.

However, those sites also project that Myers will be more patient at the plate. They find his K% falling anywhere from 1% to 2%, with an increase in his BB%. Regression happens, it’s inevitable. I don’t see him posting the .293 BA/.354 OBP/.478 SLG/.832 OPS he had the year prior. However, I don’t see him regressing to the .264 BA/.334 OPS/.453 SLG/.787 OPS hitter Steamer projects he’ll be. Over the span of his professional career, Myers has averaged somewhere in the ballpark of a .304 batting average, while hitting under .260 only once — in 2011 with the Royals Double-A affiliate, in 416 plate appearances. Unless there is a drastic change in his approach, or he’s unable to adjust to the pitchers — who will, undoubtedly, adjust to him — I really don’t see a reason for the drastic regression in production many have projected. Would I be content with a .286 BA/+.320 OBP/+.800 OPS/+25 HR slash line? Absolutely!

Which roster battle will be the most intriguing during Spring Training?

Prior to the re-signing of Grant Balfour, and the news Jeremy Hellickson would be out until mid-May, it was easy to foresee battles between Heath Bell and Juan Carlos Oviedo for the closer spot, as well as Jeremy Hellickson and Jake Odorizzi for the fifth starter spot. Since Balfour was named as the closer, and the fifth spot has been all but locked up by Jake Odorizzi or Cesar Ramos, the focus now turns to who will get a bench/depth spot on the roster, who will fill the supporting roles in the ‘pen, and what to do with Hellickson once he returns.

Tampa Bay lost bench depth this off-season. First, they chose not to re-sign Kelly Johnson, then they non-tendered Sam Fuld — leaving open a couple of spots on the opening day roster. Granted, in the scheme of things, neither Johnson or Fuld represented consistent productivity in 2013. What they lacked at the plate however, they made up for in the field. Fuld was a capable outfielder, while Johnson was flexible, playing multiple positions. Logan Forsythe and Sean Rodriguez are all but set, leaving three players for the last spot — Brandon Guyer, Jayson Nix, and Wilson Betemit.

Guyer has the advantage in being out of options, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s had a solid spring defensively. In the end, he helps defensively given the Rays’ plans to use their fourth outfielder as the DH.

As Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times wrote,

“Nix probably brings the most overall and has drawn Maddon’s praise for his professionalism. Betemit could help the most offensively, and is a switch-hitter, but reported to camp late after missing most of 2013 with injury.”

Picking Nix or Betemit would require a 40-man roster spot since both are on minor-league deals, making Rodriguez the de facto fifth outfielder.

The Rays added a significant amount of pitching depth in the off-season. The back end guys — Jake McGee, Joel Peralta, and Grant Balfour — are already set. It’s looking like Juan Carlos Oviedo is headed for the DL — thanks in part to the visa issues that kept him in the Dominican Republic — while Heath Bell, Cesar Ramos (depending on the fifth starter status) and Brandon Gomes will likely find themselves on the opening day roster. The need for an Alex Torres-like reliever is ever present. With Brandon Boxberger, a pitcher with similar stuff to Torres, headed to Durham, it’s looking like Josh Lueke will fill the empty spot in the ‘pen — at least for the time being.

A caveat: Josh Lueke is more or less the favorite because he is out of options, not because he’s made a strong case for himself in Port Charlotte. Lueke would more than likely be lost on waivers, or wouldn’t bring much in trade. In previous callups he has been unable to replicate great minor-league success, though the Rays may not be willing to give up on him just yet.

What rookie, if any, will make the most impact on the team in 2014?

Simply put, Jake Odorizzi. Enny Romero could make a dent in things as well. In my opinion, it all depends on two things:

What happens when Hellickson returns.

Whether the rest of the rotation can stay healthy.

What will be the final record of the team, and where will they finish in the division?

The Rays have averaged 91 wins per season since 2008, and there’s no reason to believe they won’t exceed the 90-win plateau in 2014. The pitching staff is strong, the infielders are the same, they acquired a strong catcher in Ryan Hanigan, and the bats in the lineup are solid — as long as Myers, Longo, Zobrist, Escobar, and DeJesus can maintain consistency and productivity.

The question then becomes, how do the other teams fare in the AL East? The Yankees spent a royal boat-load of money in the off-season, spending $503MM on acquisitions. But as Joe Giglio wrote in a piece forBleacher Report,

“Unfortunately for their (Yankees) fans, it’s hard to take an honest look at the roster and peg them for 90-plus wins right now. If Masahiro Tanaka and Jacoby Ellsbury, respectively, perform up to Cy Young and MVP standards, a different picture could emerge by October. For now, the team is only slightly better than the group that won 85 games last season.”

The other teams in the AL East had fairly quiet off-seasons — including the World Series champs. Both the Orioles and Blue Jays have have deep, powerful lineups. Yet, both teams are lacking a high impact starter or two. Then there’s the Red Sox — a team that retained the core nucleus of their 97 win squad. The question begs, should we expect another dominant season, or will we see a step back from excellence? I think we can expect another competitive season from those mouth breathers in Boston. However, it’s going to be a lot closer of a race in 2014. My prediction: the Rays and Red Sox at the top of the AL East for the second consecutive season.

Which player from your team do you most enjoy watching?

Without a doubt, Ben Zobrist. Alex Cobb, Yunel Escobar, and James Loney run a very close second.

Noteworthiness

In related news, Jake Odorizzi told the local press that he feels good about the case he made for fifth starter’s job. He didn’t do anything wrong, and will be disappointed if not picked. Then, there’s Cesar Ramos. Joe Maddon raved about Ramos following his outing against the Twins Thursday night, saying he’s “never seen him that good.” Whatever the case, it could be assumed that Erik Bedard is out of the running for the fifth starter spot, unless he puts up a solid outing Friday.

The Rays optioned Brandon Boxberger to Durham Thursday night, while reassigning Christian Figueroa, Jerry Sands, Ali Solis, Steve Geltz, Juan Sandoval, and Adam Liberatore. Their roster now sits at 37 players with just under two weeks left in Spring Training. Joe Maddon said the Rays want Boxberger to work on his fastball command. He also mentioned “the other stuff is extraordinary, the other pitches – his knuckle-curve and his change-up well above average major-league pitches. Fastball command gets better he’s going to be very, very successful.”